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Brad Butts is a .NET developer and architect. He is married with children and enjoys reading, working out, and genealogy is his five minutes of spare time.
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    The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.

    © Copyright 2008

    Family History is Bunk

    Via Genea-Musings comes an interesting post regarding an article in the UK magazine The Spectator entitled, "Sorry, But Family History Really is Bunk".  

    The author seems to take issue with the acculturation of genealogical research into the mainstream, with certain televisions shows coming online that focus on the subject.  He goes on to highlight his own personal annoyance with family history researchers--I guess they were being just too loud in the library.  Paradoxical to his claim of pop culture assimilation, he accuses researchers of being elitist or snobbish.  I find it strange how an interest once reserved for the aristocracy can have the rest of us feeling uppity.  Refigerators and air conditioning were once reserved for the upper class, too, but I don't feel especially elite for using these products today.  The writer went on to say genealogical researchers were somehow sacrificing their knowledge of national history in favor of their personal family history.  That is most certainly bunk: it's almost an imperative to understand the historical context around our ancestors to gain a better understanding on our ancestors' decisions and migration patterns.

    All in all, it sounds like the author just needs a hug.  To some, genealogy is a profession; to others (like me), it's a hobby.  People also make beer professionally and as a hobby.  I don't say "beer making is bunk."  If you'd like to spend your spare time making beer, have at it--I hope it makes you happy (and tastes good).  I enjoy the challenge of genealogical research and I don't think I do it for pretentious reasons.  Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  Well, it might be pushing it to say the same thing about family history research, but I don't see any need to disparage either interest.

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    Categories: Genealogy Blog
    Posted by Brad on Sunday, May 11, 2008 2:15 PM
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